The Rocky Island | Page 5

more prosperous gales. I could see, when I looked close into their faces, that they were all children of one family; and that all the voyage through they were helping, cheering, and directing one another. As I watched their ways, I noticed this, too, which seemed wonderful. If one of them had got into some trouble with its tackle, and the others stayed awhile to help it, and to bring it on its way, instead of losing ground by this their kindness, they seemed all to make the greater progress, and press on the further in their course.
And now I longed to see the ending of this voyage; and so looking on to those which were most forward, I resolved to trace them to the end.
Then I found that all, without exception, came into a belt of storms and darkness before they reached the happy land. True, it was much rougher and more dark with some than others; but to every one there was a deep night and a troubled sea. I saw, too, that when they reached this place, they were always parted one from another. Even those which had kept most close together all the voyage before, until just upon the edge of this dark part, they, like the rest, were scattered here, and toiled on awhile singly and alone.
They seemed to me to fare the best who entered on it with the fullest sails, and had kept hitherto the straightest course. Indeed, as a common rule I found this always true--that those who had watched the compass, and held the rudder, and cheered themselves with the appointed music, and eaten the master's bread, and steered straight after him, they passed through this cloud and darkness easily and swiftly.
Next to these were those who sought most earnestly to cheer its gloom with the sound of their appointed music. The Lord of these seas, indeed, had many ways of cheering His followers. Even in the thickest of that darkness His face of beaming love would look out upon them; and He seemed nearer to them then than He had done heretofore through all their voyage.
Then, moreover, it was never long; and bright light lay beyond it. For they passed straight out of it into "the haven where they would be." Sweet sounds broke upon their glad ears even as they left that darkness. A great crowd of happy children--parents who had gone before them--friends whom they had loved, and holy persons whose names they had long known--these all lined the banks, waiting to receive and welcome them. Amidst these moved up and down shining forms of beautiful beings, such as the children's eyes had seen only in some happy dream; and they, too, were their friends; they, too, waited for them on the bank; they, too, welcomed them with singing, and bore the happy new-comer with songs of triumph into the shining presence of the merciful King. Then, on the throne royal, and with the glorious crown upon His head, they saw the same kind face of gentle majesty which had looked upon them when they played on the shores of that far rocky isle. They heard again the voice which had bid them fly the burning mountain. They saw Him who had taken them into His convoy; who had given them their boats; who had been near them in the storm; who had given them light in the darkness; who had helped them in the dull calm; who had never left them; but who had kept and guided them across the ocean; and who now received them to His never- ending rest.
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Father. Who are the children playing on the shores of the rocky island?
Child. The fallen children of fallen parents, born into this sinful world.
F. What does the burning mountain, and the lightning, and the hill-storm, represent?
C. The wrath of God ever burning against sinners.
F. Who is He who warned these thoughtless children?
C. The Lord Jesus, who, by His ministers, warns men to "flee from the wrath to come."
F. What are the boats by which they are to escape?
C. The "ark of Christ's Church," into which we are admitted by baptism.
F. Many of the children who embarked in the boats were lost,--what is shewn by this?
C. That it is not enough to be received into the congregation of Christ's flock; but that we must always "manfully fight under His banner against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto our lives' end."
F. What is the compass, and the musical instrument, and the bread, and the water?
C. God's word, and the privilege of prayer and holy sacraments, and the other gifts of God to His Church.
F. What is the gentle wind which the musical instrument awoke?
C. The grace